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I became a Steinbeck fan when I was in high school (1994-1998) and re-read his novels every few years. The Winter of Our Discontent was probably my favorite novel of his. For some reason I was drawn to the main character's downward spiral. Maybe I saw it as a warning. As a child of the 80's, having watched so many public service announcements, I understood the pressures of always being good and how easy it is for someone to want to give up.

If I remember correctly critics at the time didn't like it because it felt heavy handed, story implausible, characters written just to illustrate Steinbeck's opinion of moral decay in America. Was he wrong? I don't think so. I still consider him to be one of the best when writing about the strengths and weaknesses of human nature. We've seen so many corrupt and evil things done just for money. The story and change in Ethan is definitely over the top but it's nothing we haven't seen in other works. Doesn't a chemistry teacher become a drug dealer in Breaking Bad? The Winter of Discontent isn't as epic as Grapes of Wrath but still a great read.

It’s been some time since I’ve read a straightforward story of this depth without the modern trappings of shifting time and place, slipstream fantasies, or magic realism. Steinbeck fully develops the main characters, particularly the protagonist by contrasting his playful and honest external qualities with his despondent internal thoughts. It goes without saying that his language, his use of imagery, is exquisite. Despite having been written during and about the 1960s, the theme of integrity vs the American Dream of wealth (and the smeared line between the two) is well worth revisiting. Repeatedly.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very different from his previous works. It seems to not be on the popular novel list but not certain why. It is very good and quite thought provoking. I love Steinbeck's mind.

This is perhaps my most favorite Steinbeck book. It is a complex psychological journey of a man who finds himself caught between two worlds, the world of old values, honesty, morals, in small town America, and the world of a changing America during the early 1960's, where profit, personal gain takes flight across America, the beginning of materialism.

This novel touches on the moral struggle of Ethan Hawley, a clerk in a grocery store that his family once owned but lost through bad investments on his father’s part. Though his life is not uncomfortable it lacks the desirable things his family seems to crave. Pressured by his wife and children’s want of a better lifestyle, Ethan believes the only way he can achieve a better social standing will require him to compromise himself morally. As he spends his days silently planning his dishonest “get quick rich” schemes, he does not realize the ultimate cost he will need to pay.

Great story telling as is standard with all Steinbeck tales, however, this story just couldn’t keep my interest like the others. Some of the dialogue between Ethan and his wife Mary, was at some points, tedious. Still worth a read but definitely not one of his best.